2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2022 Nissan Rogue continued to build on its established reputation with a mature and sophisticated design. Its exterior featured a V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a sleek floating roof, all contributing to a refined appearance. Inside, the Rogue boasted a layered dash design with contrasting colours and surfaces, creating a detailed and tasteful look. The centre console was a standout feature, offering an electronic gear selector lever that saved space and provided practical storage options. The Rogue's interior was both attractive and comfortable, with Zero Gravity bucket-style front seats and ample room in the second row, making it a well-finished and thoughtfully designed compact crossover.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, maintaining a utilitarian design that emphasized simplicity and substance. The Forester's exterior resembled a shrunken Subaru Ascent, with flared fenders and pincer-shaped lighting. The Premier trim added upscale touches like 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome trim. Inside, the Forester offered brown leather and metallic accents, with a focus on practicality through traditional buttons and knobs. While the interior was busy, it provided excellent visibility and easy entry and exit. The Forester's design was straightforward, making it a reliable and functional choice for those who valued practicality over aesthetics.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a performance boost with its new 1.5-litre VC-Turbo engine, delivering 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This represented an 11% increase in horsepower and a 24% increase in torque compared to the previous model. The engine's variable compression technology allowed for improved efficiency and responsiveness, while the new CVT transmission provided a wider range of gear ratios for better acceleration and passing power. The Rogue's chassis and suspension handled the engine's power well, offering a smooth and controlled ride with minimal body roll. Fuel consumption was impressive, with estimates of 7.8 L/100 km city and 6.5 L/100 km highway.

The 2023 Subaru Forester, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. While not as powerful as the Rogue, the Forester's engine was adequate for most driving situations. The CVT transmission offered eight programmed ratios for a more traditional feel, and the SI-Drive system provided a Sport mode for quicker responses. The Forester excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its X-Mode traction control system and available all-terrain tires in the Wilderness trim. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Forester's fuel economy fell short of expectations, with a combined rating of 9.1 L/100 km.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue offered a well-thought-out interior with numerous storage options, including bottle holders, cupholders, and various cubbies. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench, providing flexibility for passengers and cargo. The Rogue's cargo area was spacious, with a maximum capacity of 2,098 litres when the second row was folded flat. This made it a practical choice for families and commuters who needed ample storage space.

The 2023 Subaru Forester focused on functionality, with features like a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable seats, and heated front seats available in the Touring trim. The Forester's interior provided excellent visibility and easy entry and exit, making it user-friendly. While the back seats offered plenty of legroom and headroom, they lacked support for longer trips. The Forester's cargo area was well-designed, with a power liftgate and hidden storage under the load floor. It offered 762 litres of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 1,957 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue came equipped with advanced technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on upper trims. ProPilot Assist, a hands-on driver-assist system, was available, offering features like adaptive cruise control and navigation integration for predictive speed control.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. An 8-inch touchscreen was available, along with a navigation system and Harman Kardon audio. While the Forester's technology appeared outdated, it offered a user-friendly interface with separate climate controls and easy-to-use knobs. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto a better choice for navigation and entertainment.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue included the Safety Shield 360 suite, featuring automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. ProPilot Assist enhanced these features with adaptive cruise control and steering assist. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Subaru Forester introduced the next-generation EyeSight system, offering adaptive cruise control and Automatic Emergency Steering. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on most trims. The Forester's safety features performed well, but the RAB system could be overly sensitive. The Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA.